Lawyer For Man Arrested In Threats Case Says Client Did Nothing Wrong

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DENVER (CBS4) – The lawyer for a business executive whose company suspended him after he was arrested for making threats against a state legislator says his client was just exercising his right to free speech.

Franklin Sain is accused of sending profane and racially charged emails to State Rep. Rhonda Fields and threatening her daughter because of her support for stricter gun control.

Siddhartha Rathod, an attorney with Rathod and Mohamedbhai LLC, told CBS4 this week his client has done nothing wrong.

“The First Amendment protects speech that may be unpopular,” Rathod said.

Franklin Glenn Sain (credit: CBS)

The Colorado State Patrol said it is providing extra security for Fields, who called the threats “very racial, very threatening.”

“They were harassing and he meant it,” Fields said.

The Colorado House passed four gun measures last week, including the two that Fields sponsored. One requires background checks on all firearm purchases, including those conducted online and between private sellers. Another bill would limit the size of ammunition magazines to 15 rounds for firearms and eight for shotguns.

State Rep. Rhonda Fields (credit: CBS)

The measures will be heard in the Democrat-controlled Senate next week.

Rathod said Sain is a decorated Iraq War veteran who has “honorably served his country and has fought for First and Second Amendment rights for all Americans.” He said fields is using the case to promote her gun control measures.

“Rep Fields is attempting to gain a political advantage on the Second Amendment debate on gun control by trampling Mr. Sain’s First Amendment rights,” Rathod said.

CBS4 asked Rathod about the statements police documents showed were in the threats.

“He threatens to kill Rep. Fields and her daughter, wants to send them to Africa and calls them the “N’ word. Do you think that’s protected under the First Amendment?” CBS4’s Tom Mustin asked.